Formation means coming together, the process of being formed, a structure or arrangement of something.
In Amos 3:3 it says, how can two walk together unless they agree?
We must agree on the word of God to be in the formation of ONENESS.
The formation is in everything:
Marriage friendship
Leadership Ministries
Business partnership
Teacher
Sales CEO/CFO
Being a child of God
ETC ……..
It would help if you had a plan and strategy to position yourself to move appropriately. We are traveling toward a specific destination when we engage in spiritual formation. We are “in rehearsal” for life in God’s presence in eternity. We live out our earthly pilgrimage day by day here on Earth.
Reading the word
Active repentance
Total Stewardship
Penetrating prayer
Community Accountability
When formation takes place, there is a release, indicating that the positioning is in alignment and that action is now necessary. Think of it as something akin to a force field. It must be turned on to safeguard and maintain what is good. When nothing and no one can pass through, it endures and retains power. Forming is that.
As an illustration, when playing pool:
Imagine a game of pool. The balls are set up in a triangle, with the white ball at the front. This white ball, often seen as a symbol of leadership or the one in charge, is ready to set the game in motion.
The white ball charges at the other balls in formation to reach the predetermined objective, and the collision scatters them in various directions or to other locations.
One ball out of formation slows down, stops, and paralyzes the process. Therefore, the formation must exert twice as much effort.
In Matthew 12:25 says, a house divided cannot stand.
The division of the formation provides an opening for the devil to enter and invade.
Because the opponent is not forming, it cannot repel their onslaught.
The absence of a unified formation indicates that we were not firmly rooted in God’s word, nor were we fulfilling our duty as caretakers of our fellow believers. This lack of faith, trust, and balance left us vulnerable.
I’m in love with Hezekiah Walker’s song “I Need You to Survive.” When I sing that song, our relationship feels like an umbilical cord. We are energized by one another’s strength, faith, empathy, suffering, and praise of God above one another. Help us, God. It is the whole truth—we cannot survive apart from one another.
1. Order: The arrangement or disposition of people or things about each other according to a particular sequence, pattern, or method.
I Corinthians 14:40, Let all things be done decently and in order.
Colossians 2:5, for though I am absent in the flesh, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
2. Accountability to each other and God: fact or condition of being accountable, responsibility.
Hebrews 4:13, and there is no creature hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Romans 14:12, so then, each of us shall give an account of himself to God.
Proverbs 27:17, as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Galatians 6:1-2, Bear One Another’s Burdens. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.
Resting in God: Freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
Matthew 11:28-29, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
1 Kings 5:4, But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster.
Thank you Anita for your timely thoughts on unity. Any trained leader must govern himself well, and not have ongoing strife in their life. Unity is the key focus of every ministry and every person serving in a ministry. Being of one accord is paramount. Has the Lord created for you an Upper Room of Holy Spirit community?
The Church is full of both wheats (children of God) and tares (children of the devil). An experienced, confident Christian leader will lead those they serve into many opportunities to serve together – ministering in prisons, nursing homes, Indian reservations, food banks, non-profits for marginalized children, domestic violence shelters and on the street corner, to name a few. You can’t just sit in Church to be entertained. Faith requires action. A leader must have God’s vision to lead, and lift up Jesus, not themselves. A good leader sets an example of godly service as the Holy Spirit nudges all of us to be at peace with one another, and live a godly life.